New bike - SV650

**Gubb** · 15th February 2009, 20:43

Originally Posted by davebullet

There is so much after market stuff for the SV. Like a lot of budget bikes, the suspension is the weak link. The engine certainly has enough tow for me.

Exactly the same boat i'm in, although i'd wager that Trumpet parts and plastics are considerably more expensive than 'zuki bits.

**davebullet** · 15th February 2009, 20:45

Originally Posted by Ivan

great bikes I am just going back out to shed to work on my k1 racebike lovethem just got to ride myne to first time in nearly 3 months really torqeuy aye

One thing I love about the extra torque is the confidence you get when wanting to overtake (safely of course). On the VTR, you have to resign yourself to following traffic as I don't want to ring the neck out of my machines just to overtake.

On the SV however, a gentle twist of the wrist and she's away. One thing that gets me every time is remembering to lean forward and stiffen up the stomach muscles, as well as hang onto the bars. I got quite lazy with the VTR, since it can't really leave you behind... watch out on the SV if you aren't ready to move when it does!

**davebullet** · 15th February 2009, 21:10

What suspension upgrades would you guys look to do first?

Rear first then front?

**Number One** · 16th February 2009, 07:52

Not sure about the newer ones but here's what we did to my 1999. Handles sooo much better - just lovely!

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...ad.php?t=69827

**Pwalo** · 16th February 2009, 11:21

Originally Posted by davebullet

What suspension upgrades would you guys look to do first?

Rear first then front?

Check out SVRider, and the SV650.Org. They have got all the information you could ever want.

FWIW I'd fiddle around with the standard suspension first and then look around at what you want after you've got a few ks on. I think most people do the front end first, and then sort the rear out.

For everyday use the SV's not too bad, and personally I'd make sure I had decent rubber on before getting too concerned about anything else.

**marioc** · 16th February 2009, 12:08

Excellent!
I want one 2!

**serious4** · 16th February 2009, 21:43

When Mrs. Bullet is riding the VTR - she says she has trouble hearing her bike over mine

Nice

For everyday use the SV's not too bad, and personally I'd make sure I had decent rubber on before getting too concerned about anything else.

I second that. I admit the suspension is fairly average but for my daily commute and weekend rides it does the job quite nicely. Good rubber is a must.

**davebullet** · 18th February 2009, 07:48

Originally Posted by serious4

Nice

I second that. I admit the suspension is fairly average but for my daily commute and weekend rides it does the job quite nicely. Good rubber is a must.

It's currently got Dunlop Sportmax (factory tyres still) - so the rubber is quite old (5 years) even though it's not overly worn. Compund has probably hardened. I don't know what the useful life of modern rubber is (that is, it's aging properties).

I find the front and back "walk" around the corners a bit for my liking. A lot less sticky than the cheapy Bridgestones on the VTR (and the VTR sticks more).

Might be time for a tyre replacement.... after a tune-up first though!

Dave.

**ducatilover** · 18th February 2009, 20:15

nice sv! wouldnt mind one myself

**Ivan** · 19th February 2009, 20:03

Originally Posted by davebullet

What suspension upgrades would you guys look to do first?

Rear first then front?

Suspension upgrades depends what you wanna spend.

I mean a decent overhaul and new oil in front forks meaning clean them right out clear the gunge good quality fork oil and slightly heavier like 15 or 20w should do in the front budget wise.

But then theres emulators to they are a common trick in the race bikes sorry havent rode standered suspension so cant compare. theres also springs you can change heavier or softer depending on what you want again

The Rear. Standered shock from looking at myne not much you can really do with it bar adjust preload best bet a Ohlins rear shock well set up handles like a dream I had a GSXR750 shock in the back of myne wasnt to bad but made the rear squat down to much and wouldnt turn that fast.

All Depends on what you want to spend.

Regards Suspension get hold of someone like RObert Taylor if you want to upgrade he has alot of knowledge and is a really good guy.

The Crackles are great fun aye I had my one popping earlier have a Scorpion muffler on the rear

oh another thing is peg riser plates are great PM me SV riders if you want a template of them cheaper than rear sets alows you to use the standered foot pegs and hangers I have 1 inch risers in the shed and can trace them out for you and send you template currently have 2 inch risers on my race bike

Risers raise pegs up 1 inch and back 1 inch allows ground clearence

**davebullet** · 20th February 2009, 11:36

Thanks for the reply Ivan,

I'm sending the bike in for a full service first... although this doesn't include fork oil. I'm having some minor issues with the engine. Most noticeable between 3,000 - 4,000 rpm. The bike feels like it's hesitating - you can actually feel it shifting forward / back slightly at fixed throttle and RPM (smooth road to prove it's not my shaky wrist).

I'm guessing its the throttle position sensor or throttle bodies not synchronised.. anyway a service should check and get this aligned.

I'm guessing the rear end will be a lot cheaper to replace than the front... I don't have a budget in mind but will probably be further down the track (when other spending priorities are out of the way)

The peg risers sound good... but I don't get much of a lean on the bike at the moment to even challenge the existing pegs / tyre edges

.

**serious4** · 20th February 2009, 11:56

I'm sending the bike in for a full service first... although this doesn't include fork oil. I'm having some minor issues with the engine. Most noticeable between 3,000 - 4,000 rpm. The bike feels like it's hesitating - you can actually feel it shifting forward / back slightly at fixed throttle and RPM (smooth road to prove it's not my shaky wrist).

I think you'll find that the hesitation you speak of is normal for a fuel injected bike. The throttle is very much like a switch. It's either on or off. You get used to it. But in saying that if it's getting a service no harm in them checking ;o)
There are ways around the sudden rush of power in slow manuvers. One is using the rear brake to control the speed/accelleration with the throttle staying in the on position.

**erik** · 20th February 2009, 19:57

Maybe this will help with the snatchy throttle:

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=55459

I've got the carbed version, but remembered reading about it.

Do a search on svrider or sv650.org on suspension upgrades etc, there's lots of info there.